Abstract
The main aim of this research was to reconstruct the LLGM (local last glacial maximum), 1955 and 2007 glacial phases on the South West slope of Nevado Coropuna to obtain valuable information on the changes that have occurred and analyze the glacier evolution. For this purpose the ELA (Equilibrium Line Altitude) indicator has been used as a reference, with the AABR (Area x Altitude Balance Ratio) method, based on the principle of weighting the mass balance according to the distance above or below the ELA of that area. An ELA of 4762 m was obtained for the LLGM, 5779 m for 1955 and 5850 m for 2007, implying a vertical shift of 1088 m from the LLGM to 2007 and of 71 m from 1955 to 2007. The total glaciated surface was reduced by 21.5% between 1955 and 2007 and the temperature shift from LLGM to 2007 was 9.13 oC (0.0091oC/m). The ice of glaciers makes them valuable for climate research, this method offers quantitative information and the analysis of this data may contribute to research into climate change and climatic trends for future predictions.
Highlights
High mountain glaciers in the tropics are very sensitive to temperature variations and are a key factor in climate research
The reconstruction of the LLGM, 1955 and 2007 glacial phases produced in this paper starting from moraine delimitation and using satellite images has allowed us to determine the retreat of the glaciated surface area from 1955 to 2007, obtaining similar results to those of other authors and indicating a 21.5% reduction of the total glaciated surface
From the delimitation of the glaciers, the results obtained for the calculated equilibrio glaciar (ELA): 4762 m for LLGM, 5779 m for 1955 and 5850 m for 2007, and their similarity with results reported by other authors show that the Area Altitude Balance Ratios (AABR) method used in this study is valid for indicating the ELA in tropical glaciers
Summary
High mountain glaciers in the tropics are very sensitive to temperature variations and are a key factor in climate research. As good indicators of climate change, glaciers can provide climate records. Structure and geographic extent of late-glacial climate events is fundamental to our understanding of the causes of abrupt climate change and poses a key problem in palaeoclimate research (Denton et al, 2005). The ice mass of Nevado Coropuna has decreased from past glacial phases to the present day. Racoviteanu et al (2007) suggested approximately 26% reduction of the ice cover between 1962 and 2000. Úbeda & Palacios (2009) calculated a reduction of ~18% of the glacial system surface for the entire Nevado Coropuna in the 52 years from 1955 to 2007 The ice mass of Nevado Coropuna has decreased from past glacial phases to the present day. Racoviteanu et al (2007) suggested approximately 26% reduction of the ice cover between 1962 and 2000. Úbeda & Palacios (2009) calculated a reduction of ~18% of the glacial system surface for the entire Nevado Coropuna in the 52 years from 1955 to 2007
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